SOV - RPU-14 (140 mm raketomet)

РПУ-14
The RPU-14 (РПУ-14) is a towed version of the BM-14-16 16-barrel 140 mm rocket launcher (self-propelled versions were built successively on the ZiS-151/Zil-151 - BM-14, Zil-157 - BM-14M, and ZiL-131 - BM-14MM chassis). The rocket launcher is designed to fire 140 mm M-14OF (М-14ОФ, fragmentation-resistant) and M-14D (М-14Д, smoke-retardant) at ranges up to 10 km, is effective against enemy live fire and firing positions (artillery and mortar batteries), areas of concentration of mechanized (motorized artillery) units, formations and volleys, and is also capable of destroying light (wood and earth) engineer structures and shelters.



Unlike the original version of the launcher whose barrels were in a 2 rows x 8 barrel arrangement, the RPU-14 has barrels arranged in 4 rows of 4 barrels each. The rocket launcher was intended for airborne units.


Development of the RPU-14 rocket launcher began in the mid-1950s at the GSOKB-43 design bureau (ГСОКБ-43). The RPU-14 prototype was subjected to factory trials during 1956, followed by military trials of two prototypes from 03.05. 1957 to 27.06. 1957. During the successful military trials, the prototypes drove about 3000 km in tow behind the GAZ-63 (ГАЗ-63).


The launcher is mounted on a separate lafette, on the chassis of an 85 mm caliber divisional gun D-44 (Д-44). The weapon is equipped with the original MP-46M panoramic mortar sight (МП-46М).


After the collapse of the USSR, although it remained in the armament of all armies of the successor states, it is gradually being withdrawn from the armament of combat units, decommissioned, or stored for the needs of mobilizationally formed units.


A similar type of 140 mm calibre towed rocket launcher was developed in the former People's Republic of Poland and included in the armament of the Polish Army's airborne units with the designation WP-8. However, unlike the RPU-14, it did not have 16 barrels, but only 8.




Source: rbase.new-factoria.ru
http://talks.guns.ru/forummessage/42/91.html
URL : https://www.valka.cz/SOV-RPU-14-140-mm-raketomet-t17298#318165 Version : 0
Discussion post Fact post
Attachments


Join us

We believe that there are people with different interests and experiences who could contribute their knowledge and ideas. If you love military history and have experience in historical research, writing articles, editing text, moderating, creating images, graphics or videos, or simply have a desire to contribute to our unique system, you can join us and help us create content that will be interesting and beneficial to other readers.

Find out more